Less than six weeks after it premiered in the fall of 1984, uniquely stylish police procedural “Miami Vice” stunned its viewers by abruptly killing off one of its principal characters. The lieutenant position vacated by Lou Rodriguez (Gregory Sierra) was promptly filled by former DEA officer Marty Castillo (Edward James Olmos) one episode later. At 37, Olmos was a full decade younger than his predecessor. His performance was so well-received that it earned the series its only major Emmy win apart from three craft awards.
Olmos’s Best Drama Supporting Actor victory came for the two-part episode “Golden Triangle,” in which Castillo works to bring down a drug lord who is holding his ex-wife hostage. At the time, the 38-year-old was the fourth youngest winner in the history of his category. He now places behind a total of nine actors who are up to 13 years his junior.
Since 1959, a total of 39 actors have won for their supporting roles on continuing drama programs, beginning with Dennis Weaver (“Gunsmoke”). Six of these winners have prevailed on more than one occasion.
Scroll through our photo gallery to find out who ranks ahead of Olmos on the list of 10 youngest Best Drama Supporting Actor Emmy winners.
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10. Edward James Olmos (‘Miami Vice,’ 1985)
Image Credit: NBC Age: 38
Role: Marty Castillo
This was Olmos’s first of two nominations for playing this role, which he held for five seasons.
Other nominees:
Ed Begley Jr. (“St. Elsewhere”)
John Hillerman (“Magnum, P.I.”)
John Karlen (“Cagney & Lacey”)
Bruce Weitz (“Hill Street Blues”) -
9. Larry Drake (‘L.A. Law,’ 1988)
Image Credit: NBC Age: 38
Role: Benny Stulwicz
Drake collected a pair of prizes for his work on this series, defeating two of his costars on both occasions (Alan Rachins and Jimmy Smits in 1988; Richard Dysart and Smits in 1989).
Other nominees:
Ed Begley Jr. (“St. Elsewhere”)
Timothy Busfield (“Thirtysomething”)
Alan Rachins (“L.A. Law”)
Jimmy Smits (“L.A. Law”) -
8. Michael Imperioli (‘The Sopranos,’ 2004)
Image Credit: HBO Age: 38
Role: Christopher Moltisanti
Imperioli earned five nominations for his portrayal of this up-and-coming mobster and succeeded on his third outing.
Other nominees:
Steve Buscemi (“The Sopranos”)
Brad Dourif (“Deadwood”)
Victor Garber (“Alias”)
John Spencer (“The West Wing”) -
7. Jimmy Smits (‘L.A. Law,’ 1990)
Image Credit: NBC Age: 35
Role: Victor Sifuentes
This role brought Smits a half dozen bids, and he later doubled that total with his work on “NYPD Blue” and “Dexter.”
Other nominees:
Timothy Busfield (“Thirtysomething”)
Larry Drake (“L.A. Law”)
Richard Dysart (“L.A. Law”)
Dean Stockwell (“Quantum Leap”) -
6. Dennis Weaver (‘Gunsmoke,’ 1959)
Image Credit: CBS Age: 34
Role: Chester Goode
Weaver played Goode for nine years and earned nominations for his work on the series’ third and fourth seasons.
Other nominees:
Herschel Bernardi (“Peter Gunn”)
Johnny Crawford (“The Rifleman”)
William Hopper (“Perry Mason”) -
5. Timothy Busfield (‘Thirtysomething,’ 1991)
Image Credit: MGM Studios Age: 34
Role: Elliot Weston
Busfield triumphed on his fourth and final nomination for this series, defeating his costar, David Clennon, who is 14 years his senior.
Other nominees:
David Clennon (“Thirtysomething”)
Richard Dysart (“L.A. Law”)
Jimmy Smits (“L.A. Law”)
Dean Stockwell (“Quantum Leap”) -
4. Aaron Paul (‘Breaking Bad,’ 2010)
Image Credit: Frank Ockenfels/AMC Age: 31
Role: Jesse Pinkman
Paul followed this win with two more for the same series in 2012 and 2014. He received two additional nominations in 2009 and 2013.
Other nominees:
Andre Braugher (“Men of a Certain Age”)
Michael Emerson (“Lost”)
Terry O’Quinn (“Lost”)
Martin Short (“Damages”)
John Slattery (“Mad Men”) -
3. James Brolin (‘Marcus Welby, M.D.,’ 1970)
Image Credit: ABC Age: 29
Role: Dr. Steven Kiley
This was Brolin’s first of four nominations for this role, which he played for seven seasons.
Other nominees:
Tige Andrews (“The Mod Sqaud”)
Greg Morris (“Mission: Impossible”) -
2. Gary Frank (‘Family,’ 1977)
Image Credit: ABC Age: 26
Role: Willie Lawrence
Frank’s portrayal of the Lawrence family’s middle child earned him his only Emmy nomination and win.
Other nominees:
Noah Beery Jr. (“The Rockford Files”)
David Doyle (“Charlie’s Angels”)
Tom Ewell (“Baretta”)
Will Geer (“The Waltons”) -
1. Chad Lowe (‘Life Goes On,’ 1993)
Image Credit: ABC Age: 25
Role: Jesse McKenna
Lowe joined this family drama in its third and penultimate season as a love interest for youngest daughter Becca (Kellie Martin), and their romance quickly became the show’s main draw.
Other nominees:
Barry Corbin (“Northern Exposure”)
John Cullum (“Northern Exposure”)
Fyvush Finkel (“Picket Fences”)
Dean Stockwell (“Quantum Leap”)
